Electronic Engineering News, February 2013

Here are some highlights from the world of Electronic Engineering and Embedded Systems Programming, for February 2013:

OpenPICUS Aims To Connect the Embedded World to the Internet

OpenPICUS is a new low-cost open-source hardware and software platform based on the Microchip PIC24F microcontroller and the freeRTOS software framework, with embedded Internet connectivity (Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or GPRS), modular development boards, and a free IDE.

Tiny Android-Powered ARM Motherboard

"The APC Rock is a $79 bare motherboard, and the APC Paper is a $99 version that is identical, except it loses the VGA port and comes in a recycled cardboard case designed to look like a small hardcover book. Both motherboards also come with Android 4.0 installed." [link]

Development board combines best of mbed/Arduino/LPCXpresso

"The LPC800-MAX will open a new world of possibilities, as it allows users to pick the parts they like from the mbed, LPCXpresso as well as the Arduino eco systems, and use them together or however they choose." [link]

Cuddly Electronic Components

"You can get a whole range of components in cuddly form: LEDs, transistors, capacitors, resistors, even a timing chip. That's enough to teach your kids the basics of electronics before they can even speak. Think of the educational advantage your budding little electrical engineers will have!" [link]

Combining Lego and Arduino

Make: Lego and Arduino Projects is a new book that "contains a straightforward introduction to combining NXT robotics with the Arduino using a mix of projects (six in all) and easy-to-understand discussions on a variety of topics that include the basics of electronics, a breakdown of the NXT and Arduino systems, and advanced building and programming techniques." [link]

New $12.95 mbed-enabled Freescale Board

"The FRDM-KL25Z Freescale Freedom development board uses the Kinetis L series of MCUs, the industry's first microcontrollers built on the ARM Cortex-M0+ core. The board is based on the KL25Z128VLK, a tiny KL2 family device that runs at 48 MHz, has 128 KB of flash, a full-speed USB controller and various analog and digital peripherals. The FRDM-KL25Z hardware is form-factor compatible with the Arduino R3 pin layout, so it'll work with lots of existing shield designs." [link]

Easy Switch from 8-bit to 32-bit

"With 32-bit performance at 8-bit cost, the XMC1000 family addresses sensor and actuator applications, LED lighting, digital power conversion, such as uninterruptible power supplies, and simple motor drives, such as those used in household appliances, pumps, fans and e-bikes." [link]

Notable Quote

"A good engineer thinks in reverse and asks himself about the stylistic consequences of the components and systems he proposes." ~ Helmut Jahn

Electronic Engineering News is a periodical roundup of news and notes from the world of Electronic Engineering and Embedded Systems Programming, featuring EE news, project references, and new product highlights.